Rushville Republican
Investment in the Midwest's passenger rail system could afford Indiana, and the entire region, numerous economic benefits, according to a report recently released by nine states participating in an innovative plan to improve passenger rail in the region.
According to a recently released economic impact analysis, the Midwest Regional Rail System (MWRRS) could bring between $2.3 billion and $3.5 billion in user benefits to Indiana, spurring new jobs and economic development, as well as helping to ease congestion and reduce dependence on oil.
The Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission advocates for a system that would further economic development and enhance transportation options for the region's residents. Indiana legislators, Sen. Robert N. Jackman (R-Milroy) and Rep. David Niezgodski (D-South Bend) have been appointed to represent their respective legislative chambers as commissioners of the MIPRC. Jackman serves as the commission's chair.
"We need to invest in our passenger rail system, both to strengthen our region's vitality and to ensure that necessary transportation options will be available in the future," Jackman said. "In this day and age, we can't afford to ignore the capacity for passenger rail to provide a transportation alternative for the Midwest."
"For those of us who believe that mass transit must be a crucial element in expanding our state's economic development efforts, high-speed rail is an important component," Niezgodski said. "There is substantial evidence to indicate that switching to mass transit has helped many areas relieve traffic congestion and save both time and energy costs. There are other ways to address transportation needs in Indiana that don't involve building new roads. Today's announcement is one crucial step in exploring those options."
The plan envisions a 3,000-mile rail system that would connect more than 100 communities in the Midwest, and would be accessible to 80 percent of the region's population. Track improvements would increase speeds up to 110 mph. Along with new trainsets and more frequent service, the MWRRS would bring fast, convenient passenger rail service to the region that would be competitive with driving and more convenient than flying.
The report also shows the system generating 4,540 permanent new jobs in Indiana, which would provide more than $86 million in additional income for workers. The system would also bring increased joint development potential to the state, totaling between $284.9 million and $427.4 million.
Development potential estimates for Indiana communities to be served under the MWRRS are:
Fort Wayne: $26-$38 million
Gary, airports: $32-$48 million
Hammond-Whiting $16-$25 million
Indianapolis: $121-$182 million
Indianapolis, airport $7-$10 million
Lafayette: $39-$58 million
Michigan City: $12-$18 million
Plymouth: $21-$32 million
Shelbyville: $.9-$1.4 million
Warsaw: $10-$15 million
Three routes would serve Indiana:
Chicago-Cincinnati: Five round-trip trains per day, with stops including Gary, Lafayette and Indianapolis. Total travel time between Chicago and Cincinnati would be about four hours.
Chicago-Cleveland: Eight round-trip trains per day, with stops in Gary and Fort Wayne. Total travel time between Chicago and Cleveland would be about four and a half hours.
Chicago-Detroit.: Nine round-trip trains per day, with stops in Gary and Michigan City. Total travel time between Chicago and Detroit would be just under four hours.
In addition to its benefits to Indiana, the MWRRS would greatly strengthen transportation throughout the region as a whole. The report shows the system generating 57,450 permanent new jobs, which would provide more than $1 billion in additional income for workers across the region.
New analysis projects user benefits such as time savings, congestion relief and emissions reductions to total $23.1 billion in the first 40 years of the project. In addition to numerous environmental and quality-of-life benefits, the new fiscal analysis also projects the system to have a 1.8 benefit-to-cost ratio, meaning that every dollar spent will yield $1.80 in benefit.
Construction of the system would create 15,200 additional annual jobs during the 10-year construction period, generating $5.3 billion in increased worker earnings and $16.9 billion in increased output by the region's businesses during that period.
Communities linked by the MWRRS would also enjoy $4.9 billion in increased joint development potential as improved service and new stations encourage investment and development throughout the region.